Vaughn Lee "Von" Smith (born June 15, 1986) is an American singer and internet personality. Smith gained success via his YouTube videos. These garnered national attention, which led to an appearance on The View in February 2007.[1] He soon signed a recording contract with Kon Live Distribution.[2] In 2009 he auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol getting into the Top 36. In 2012 he was featured as the ultimate "opening act" for the season finale of the United States reality show of the same name, performing as the opener at Lady Gaga's Brisbane, Australia show on June 14, 2012.[3]

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In 2009 Smith auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol, with mixed reviews from the judges. However, they accepted him for the Hollywood Round. During the Hollywood Round, Von's version of "If the Rain Must Fall" caused Simon Cowell to call it "indulgent nonsense." The other judges overlooked Simon's comment, and accepted Von into the Top 36.[4] He was eliminated on March 4, 2009 after singing "You're All I Need to Get By", but was brought back to wild card performance on March 5, picking "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" as his next song, but was eliminated once again.

In the fall of 2010 he appeared in the concert revue For The Record: Quentin Tarantino in Los Angeles, presented by ROCKLA for Show at Barre. It ran from August to October and also starred Jenna Leigh Green, Autumn Reeser, Ty Taylor, and Audra Mae. Then from November 2010 through January 2011 Von starred in Show At Barre's For The Record: John Hughes. Also starring Barrett Foa, Tracie Thoms and Ty Taylor.

In 2012 Smith was chosen as the ultimate "opening act" for the season finale of the United States reality show of the same name, performing as the opener for Lady Gaga's Brisbane, Australia show on June 14, 2012.[3] The episode aired on E! Entertainment in September 2012.[3]

Smith has also been involved with "Postmodern Jukebox," a group on YouTube doing covers of popular songs such as "Rude."